Mike Grutka on SoundBetter

Personalized Mastering and Mixing: All Analog Mastering. Free sample. Free revisions. 48 hr delivery (single) 7 days (Album). Stem Mastering. DDP/ISRC, sequencing, fades, transitions, Optimization for all streaming platforms & Vinyl included.

Howdy. I've been a musician my whole life. Play 11 instruments. Toured the east coast. Released 6 albums so far. I've been mixing and recording for over 20 years adding Mastering to my arsenal. Each project is given individual attention with in depth input from the artists. I want to make you sound as great as I can. As an artist myself I understand the needs and desires you have with your songs. They're your 'babies' and you want them to go out into the world and flourish. They're YOU. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to trust someone else with YOUR vision. Finding that person who is on the same page and wants you to succeed just as much as you do. That's where my personalized touch makes all the difference. We will go in-depth to make sure I understand your desired outcome. I will work WITH you to make your passion come through the speakers. I'm not happy until YOU are happy! "You're very good at what you do" - Blake LaGrange Mastering.com

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Mike Grutka

Mike Grutka
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Mike Grutka

2 Reviews

Endorse Mike Grutka

by Niki Kaos
I am fairly new to the world of recording my music, so when I sought out recommendations from friends, Mike Grutka found his way to me. I was really happy with how responsive he is. Mike gave me valuable feedback on my recording, which helped me focus my efforts in the studio. I especially thought the clarity of the vocals and the placement of the instruments in the mix made the song sound radio ready. I have a holiday song cycle coming out in 2021, and I'm looking forward to working with Mike for the mixing and mastering of the songs! He's a real pro!
by Aidan C O'Connor
Mike is the mastering engineer behind my first ever single, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. He worked with me throughout the mixing/mastering process, offering me feedback on how to achieve a cleaner and more professional-sounding mix before giving it the final touch. To me, a musician who loves the process of recording but struggles with the technical side of things, this has been huge and super informative. The final track sounds warm and balanced, and I'm looking forward to working with Mike and his technical wizardry soon!

Interview with Mike Grutka

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: This is no where near my best work, but the first album I ever produced, recorded and mixed was for a friends band. I literally had the crappiest equipment and only 2 microphones but it came out pretty good. I'm proud of it because they were a new band who never recorded. I walked them through the arrangement, production and recording process. It was a ton of fun. They got some radio play and toured behind it. It was a cool time.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on a death metal album and a psychedelic folk album
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog Why do you think all these plug in companies are releasing 'analog emulations'?
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'm very personalized and communicative. It's not right until you're happy. I will work WITH you not just tell you I'm the expert. If you have questions, ask.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Working with awesome people. Seeing the final album really spring to life and be what it should be when I'm done. The happy clients.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Why can't I do this myself? You can. You just won't get the best results. Why do I need Mastering? Mastering is the last 10% that takes your mix, no matter how good, and makes it as good as it can be. You can truly get major label quality by working with a good mastering engineer. This guy on the internet says to use XYZ plug in and it's the same thing. Why hire you? Go for it. It's a 'guess'. It's an algorithm that treats your song EXACTLY the same as any other in your genre. Think about your FB/Instagram feed. How many times do you really see what you want without searching or scrolling? It's like that.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: You can learn it on YouTube and do it yourself for free with awesome results. Cheap online 'mastering services' are good.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: The most important thing in my experience is working with someone who you can communicate with. Anyone can tell you they 'Master' or 'Mix' and all they do is slap pre sets on your stuff. Cheap isn't better. Fast isn't better. If they don't listen and learn about your music they're not serving you.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Martin acoustic. Slate Mic Kush Clariphonic Pultec EQP 1 SSL Fusion
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Violin lessons. School orchestra, band, chorus, musicals, community theater, Solo acoustic performer, songwriter, touring musician, recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer. I've been 'doing' music nearly my whole life. I became a professional touring and recording musician 30 years ago. I've been recording and mixing artists for 25 years. I've been a mastering engineer for 2 years.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Plug-ins will not save you. Just because you have it doesn't mean you can use it. Perfect your craft first.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to what the client wants and delivering.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Outside the obvious "fresh set of ears" I have been a musician since I was 8. I began playing the violin and now play 11 different ones. My music taste and experience is diverse from orchestra to chorus, musicals, plays, pit orchestra, rock bands, solo acoustic, jazz... This allows me to bring a huge sonic palette and knowledge into each project whether that means keeping it super strict in the genre or stretching the boundaries by adding elements from other forms of music to get that 'magic'
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Music is so personal. I start with questionnaires for each client whether Mastering or Mixing. We go in depth on their desired outcome so I get them the best final product. This includes mix suggestions to clean up any issues before we get to the final version. The more I can help you get me the best possible files the better I can help you.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Mac, Apollo x4, Yamaha HS8, KRK Sub, ProTools (mastering), Logic Pro X, Harrison Mixbuss 32C Outboard: SSL, API, Kush
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mastering and Mixing. I also do some production/arranging.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Im a chameleon
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Radiohead. I would love to see their process in person
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work with all genres but I've done a lot of Americana, alternative rock, rock and singer songwriter stuff
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: David Byrne, Radiohead, R.E.M., Bowie, Beatles Bob Katz, Larry DeVivo, Blake LaGrange, Bobby Owsinski